May
19
Written by:
TravelingProfessor
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Everyone was packed and ready to go at about 10:30 a.m. We left our bags in the lobby of the friendly Bellesuite Rome Hotel. A few of us walked over to the amazing Santa Maria Maggiorie church where the famous sculptor Bernini is buried. It is ornate and contains some of the most important relics of the Catholic Church.
The weather is so grand we decide to hoof it over to another church, St. Peter's in Chains. It contains the magnificent Michelangelo work of Moses. Also on display is another relic, St. Peter's chains (but of course!).
The luxury train ride up to Florence is relaxing and soothing. Some of us can't keep our eyes open and it is an opportunity to catch some rest. Others are impressed with the 1.5 hour ride filled with majestic Tuscan countryside.
We pull into Florence Santa Maria Novella Station at about 4:15. Our hotel is located about an 8 minute walk from the train station making it convenient for our daily treks that we will take outside of Florence.
Dinner is at the famous Il Latini restaurant over near the Arno River. I don't want to tell you too much about it other than if you go, make sure you bring a hefty appetite. Most of our travelers say it was the best meal of the trip.
After our 3 hour meal, we take a moonlit walk down the Arno River, past the famous Pont Vecchio, onto the Palazzo Singoria and then a few short steps past the grand Duomo to our hotel.
It has been another great day in Italy!